"You look like a Blue Jay," I had said to a woman this afternoon. Her skin was dark, her eyes intense, and her smiles indifferent and friendly. I searched for a workbench while in Ost Guruth in the Lone Lands, inspired to carve a few trinkents based on creatures I had encountered in the surrounding area - then there she was, carefully shaping and carving what appeared to be a rune. And an exquisite rune it was!
Approaching her, I noted her apparent appreciation for the colour blue, for her armour consisted of mostly white and blue. I had seen her about, but did not imagine that the first words to come out of my mouth to this stranger would be that she reminded me of a Blue Jay. Such an absurd way to begin a conversation, but sure enough it worked.
She had intended to sell off her rune for coin. I knew mine was worn and cracked and I was aware of my poor financial situation. Surely she would be kind enough to gift it to me, and once again I say something that should have made me look foolish before this stranger. "May I have it?" I asked her. She seemed a bit surprised and questioning, but she was kind enough to allow me to have it without proper pay.
It was an interesting design that she had carved onto the rune... smoothed out well enough that I may hold it without worry of it slipping from my grasp, and sized appropriately to fit in my pouch. I thanked her, stored it away, and abandoned my own rune atop some nearby crates. "Think of that as a gift for a future investment," she said. We exchanged introductions and shortly after a bit of conversation I noted the weapons she held tied behind her back. She owned many spears, more so than I have ever seen on any one else before. "I see you have an interest with spears and general pointy things," I said, once again not thinking through my words before speaking - then I went on to offer her my services as a woodsman in return for the rune.
Almaleksia then explained the importance of her weapons, how each has a specific weight, purpose, story... she made it clear that not just any weapon will be of use to her. I nearly took this as a challenge, not to myself personally, but to my skills. After I assured her of the important my craft is to me, she expressed satisfaction and politely accepted my offer. We spoke a bit more and it seemed that we were to go our own ways, but then she mentioned that the people of Ost Guruth are in a state of need where aid is required to deal with the dangerous lands North East from where we stood.
I thought over her words, and noted that there were ruins in that area that would surely be impossible for me to reach without the aid of someone else. There is much to study and review... there would be significant traces of valuable stones and history, no doubt... how interesting it sounded! And once more, I spoke without thinking... "Very well, when are we leaving?" It wasn't until now that I write this down that I realize how ridiculous it must have sounded to have invited myself so suddenly. She looked at me with a strange expression as well... I should start thinking over my words before I let them run free...
Almaleksia warned me that she will not be responsible for my safety, and I confidently told her that I would be more than capable of keeping both of us safe. I could tell she thought me saying this was... well, I'll say amusing.
We'll be making our way to Garth Agarwen soon. I felt the need to write down this recent event before we make our way there. I have the feeling that I may not be writing again until we escape from that place... we'll see what we find and how smoothly our adventure there goes.
A Blue Jay in the distance.
